This year’s Lenten journey concludes with Holy Week and then our Easter celebrations arise with Christ’s resurrection. I encourage you to keep your eyes peeled for signs of Christ’s resurrection power inside you and around you. The early church had their eyes wide open to Creation’s witness to the resurrection May these signs inspire you to see the hope of the resurrection in your world.
The Phoenix legend in church history is associated with rebirth, resurrection, triumph over adversity, and that which rises out of the ashes. Often, as an emblem of Christ, it was found with the palm tree (another symbol of resurrection) or carrying a palm branch (a symbol of triumph over death), or carrying an olive branch (a symbol of God’s peace offered to humans) The phoenix also became a favorite symbol on early Christian tombstones.
The Gourd: God caused a gourd to spring up and shade Jonah and deliver him from his grief The palma christi gourd or castor-oil plant is the gourd of Jonah It reminds us God raised up Christ on Easter Sunday to take away our sorrow and grief.
The Butterfly: From caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly, the butterfly symbolizes to Christians the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the Greek language, the word for soul and butterfly are the same (psyche) In western French provinces, there is a beautifully shaped bright yellow butterfly-and one of its names is the Easter Jesus because it appears right around Easter and is the first butterfly to emerge from the cocoon, just as Christ emerged from the tomb.
The Crane returns every spring The faithful return of the crane has helped Christians remember the resurrection that we will one day experience in full because of Jesus Christ. Cranes also eat snakes, so it reminds us that Christ defeated Satan by the cross There is a legend that the crane keeps itself awake by standing on one foot and holding a stone in the other When it begins to nod off, the dropping of the stone awakens it Let’s “crane our necks” (we get that saying from the crane), this Easter and always, to be ever alert to Christ’s resurrection power and the signs and symbols all around us of the good news that Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
Grace and Peace, John
Join SAPC as we continue our walk from celebrating Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, through Jesus’ last week with the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday, Crucifixion on Good Friday, and then His Resurrection on Easter. All of us have friends, neighbors, family members, and coworkers who are longing for more meaning in their lives. We hope you will come be a part of Holy Week and Easter at SAPC!
palmsunday
SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2026
7:30 AM | COMMUNION SERVICE 9:00AM|CONTEMPORARYSERVICE 10:45 AM | TRADITIONAL SERVICE
Join us on Palm Sunday at any one of our three regularly scheduled services and celebrate Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
maundythursday
THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2026
7:00 PM | SANCTUARY
Worship with us as we remember the day in which Jesus broke bread, prayed in the Garden, and yielded to His unjust arrest. Join us for this powerful time of worship, led by our Contemporary Worship Team In Person or Online
good friday
FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2026
7:00 PM | SANCTUARY
Our Good Friday service will walkthrough the last days of Christ through the Crucifixion. This contemplative Traditional Service of music and readings will be led by our Chancel Choir and Orchestra In Person and Online
easter sunday
SUNDAY, APRIL 5
6:00 AM - SUNRISE SERVICE
7:30 AM - COMMUNION SERVICE
9:00 AM - CONTEMPORARY SERVICE 10:45 AM - TRADITIONAL SERVICE
6:00 am Sunrise Service
He is Risen! Join us in the Courtyard, outside of the Chapel on our NE Campus for an Easter Sunrise Service. We will enjoy some worship, time of prayer and message from Pastor John Bring your own chair or blanket to sit on the grass.
7:30 am Communion Service
Celebrate the Risen Christ! Intimate service held in our Chapel on the NE Campus. Includes hymns led by organ, prayer, sermon and Communion weekly
9:00 am Contemporary Service
Contemporary worship held in our SW Sanctuary. This service is led by the SAPC Worship Team, with a full band and singers. (Inperson & online)
10:45 am Traditional Service
Traditional worship held in our SW Sanctuary This service will includes traditional Easter hymns, led by organ, choir, orchestra, and Easter Brass. The service will conclude with Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus. (Inperson & online)
palmsundayconcert
SUNDAY, MARCH 29 | 3:00 PM | SANCTUARY
You are invited to the 13th Annual Palm Sunday Concert, featuring the St Andrew’s Chancel Choir, Orchestra, and more! This year, the program features Theodore Dubois’ The Seven Last Words of Christ and Beethoven’s Hallelujah Chorus from Christ on the Mount of Olives Admission is free, so come enjoy this exciting program and invite a friend to join too!
flowersforeaster
If you would like to place a blooming plant in one of our Easter Worship Services, in honor or in memory of a loved one, you can sign up by visiting sapctucsonorg or contacting the Church Office
The cost is $25 and you may select where the plant is placed In the Chapel or the Sanctuary for 9:00 am & 10:45 am Worship Services. The plants may be taken home following the end of worship services Any left over plants may be brought to Care Centers.
easteregghunt
SUNDAY, MARCH 29 | 10:30 AM | NE
CAMPUS
SAPC Kids invites you to our Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, March 29, at 10:30 am on the NE Campus. Everyone is invited! Bring your own bag or basket and let the hunt begin! Following the Egg Hunt, families are invited to take part in our Amazing Grace Family Event Learn more below
amazinggraceevent
SUNDAY, MARCH 29 | FOLLOWING
EGG HUNT
Immediately following the Easter Egg Hunt, families are invited to take part in the Amazing Grace Easter Family Event on the NE Campus. Families will walk together through Jesus’ journey to the cross and to the joy of Resurrection Sunday You’ll create together, eat together, and experience Holy Week through interactive stations, discovering that grace is a gift from God Families will receive special gifts at each station We hope you’ll join us for this meaningful and joy-filled Easter celebration!
requests for other Sundays and baby bud vases! Team members also created some of the silk arrangements used when there isn't a live arrangement. Would you like to join the team? No previous flower-arranging experience is required ... if you're interested you'll be partnered with a mentor who will step you through the process! If you have questions, feel free to contact Lisa Behr at LKBehr@comcastnet
Do you love decorating? You’re invited to join the Decorating Team as we prepare the Sanctuary and Chapel for Easter on Saturday, April 4, at 8:30 am. We need volunteers who can climb ladders and do some light lifting, but there will be plenty of tasks for those who prefer to stay on the ground as well Feel free to invite your family and friends to join us! For questions, contact Shelly Akins at joelerinmama@gmail.com.
service worship at sapc
ServiceWorshipHistory
SERVICE WORSHIP FROM THE BEGINNING!
St Andrew's launched its first Service Worship on Sunday, September 29, 2013, bringing our church community together for a morning dedicated to serving others. Instead of gathering for a typical Sunday service, we experienced a "Send-Off Service" before heading out into the community to participate in meaningful service projects.
Service Worship grew out of St. Andrew’s deep desire for more handson ministry and community service In early 2012, Session had commissioned an Action Learning Team to discern what new ministry God was calling us to. Service Worship was part of this new vision, which also included church partnerships and a mobile shower outreach
At that time, our Senior Pastor Jim Toole was instrumental in helping lay the foundation for Service Worship. His 2013 Faith in Action Sermon Series, helped us reflect on what it truly means to be the church out in our world Jim's vision for St Andrew's was for us to step
beyond our own walls and serve as a light in our community in new ways He loved Service Worship because it would launch us out into the community with endless possibilities for connection and sharing the love of Jesus
Shortly after establishing Service Worship, St. Andrew's added the role of Local Outreach Director, a position faithfully held by RuthAnn Smithrud for the last twelve years Through many Service Worship events, our church has intentionally sought to be a blessing to others and in doing so, has been richly blessed in return. After participating in Service Worship, many people have shared how much joy they have found in serving, the sense of community it builds, and the presence of the Holy Spirit at work Through Service Worship projects, St. Andrew's has shared the love of Jesus with countless neighbors, schools, community organizations, and mission partners
As St Andrew's looks ahead, we remain committed to putting our faith in action, intentionally serving together by going beyond our walls to share the love of Jesus with our community in tangible, meaningful ways
Spring2026ServiceWorship
Service Worship Sunday will be April 26! St. Andrew's believes that service is an act of worship, and we are setting aside this day as a congregation to focus on intentionally serving others. We will begin the morning together at 8:30 am on our NE Campus with the dedication of the Toole Prayer Garden, after which everyone will be sent out to serve through projects across our community. Our 7:30 am Communion service will still be offered as usual.
Sign-ups for service worship projects will be available in early April through our website. We have lots of projects to choose from, with various ways to serve, either at church or out in the community.
Please take a look at our sign-up to find the right project for you and your family! There are also a few projects during the week you can consider as well
Service Worship projects allow us to come together as the church and be a blessing to others as we "serve one another humbly in love" (Galatians 5:13) Most projects are expected to last between 1-2 hours and do not require special training This year we are offering new Service Worship t-shirts! While shirts are not required for you to participate, we hope that everyone who would like a Service Worship shirt is able to receive one. Please sign-up for your project and put in your shirt request by Sunday, April 19!
Blessingofthe TooleLegacyGarden
Please join us as SAPC kicks off our Service Worship on Sunday, April 26, with the Blessing of the Prayer Garden in honor of Rev. Dr. Jim and Rev. Pati Toole in the NE Campus parking lot at 8:30 am. The Prayer Garden will offer a sacred space for healing, prayer, contemplation and spiritual renewal for the congregation and the wider community It will feature a Ramada to provide a shade structure, a labyrinth, mosaic artwork, benches to sit on and a beautiful view of the Tucson mountains.
The Toole Legacy Fund was formed to honor the life and impact of the Rev Dr. Jim and Rev. Pati Toole by creating healing spaces that reflect their commitment to God's love and service Through three key initiatives - a Prayer Garden, a Mosaic Project, and a Mental Health Fund - we aim to foster spiritual wellness, creativity, and mental health support for the community These projects aim to continue the Toole's legacy of nurturing faith, healing, and connection for generations to come. If you would like to learn more about how you can support these projects please go to: sapctucsonorg/toolelegacy-project
May Diaper Drive: Tucson Refugee Ministry
Please join us during the month of May in collecting children's diapers which are in constant need by refugee families as they struggle to make ends meet Adult diapers and feminine hygiene products are also needed but the primary need is for children's diapers. A donation bin to collect these products is available in the Gathering Place.
Tucson Refugee Ministry nurtures and empowers refugees to thrive as an integral part of our community. Many refugees have waited in primitive refugee camps for years. After a rigorous selection process, if approved, they are placed around the world to start their new lives. Your donation of diapers and feminine hygiene products will significantly help those families who have been relocated to Tucson.
Tucson Refugee Ministry hosts a free coffee shop on Wednesday and Friday mornings, which is when the refugee families pick up diapers and other necessities. The coffee shop is open to the public and they love to have people visit and socialize with the families For more information, contact Marianne Hadden at mariannehadden@gmail.com.
Frontera de Cristo thanks SAPC for joining with us to share God’s love, peace, and justice with thousands of people in the borderlands and beyond. Your partnership in 2025 helped us serve our sisters and brothers in ministry in many ways including servinganaverageof71personspermonthattheCATPSICdrug& alcoholrehabcenterthroughmaterial,nutritional,emotional, andspiritualsupport;
If you haven’t filed your taxes yet, there’s still time to make a Tax Credit donation to support our Kindergarten program providing scholarships for families while receiving a dollar-for-dollar Arizona state tax credit For 2025, you may give up to $3,062 (married filing jointly) or $1,535 (single), or your tax liability, whichever is less.
To donate or learn more, visit ibescholarships.org or acsto.org, call the school office at 520-742-2969, or pick up a brochure in the Narthex.
If you’ve already filed, please consider giving to our Preschool Scholarship Fund. Your gift helps families access a high-quality, faith-based early childhood education. To give, visit sapctucson.org/give or stop by the Preschool & Kindergarten office. Thank you for your support and belief in our Preschool and Kindergarten ministry!
Scan here or visit sapctucson.org to purchase your tickets today!
FOREST HOME SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION
Join us this summer, July 8–13, in the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains. Students completing 5th–12th grade are invited to attend
This is an amazing week filled with worship, teaching, zip-lining, hiking, blobbing, competitions, night games, friendships, and more
Scholarships and sibling discounts are available Please make use of scholarships if needed we never want finances to keep students from attending camp
Contact Tim with any questions , we still have space available for both middle school and high school students!
SUPER FRIENDS
Super Friends will not meet on Sunday, April 5, as we celebrate Easter. We hope you enjoy this special time celebrating with your family
HOLY MOLIES
4TH & 5TH GRADE
Holy Molies will meet April 15 from 6–8 pm in Room F We’ll enjoy pizza, play games, and have a Bible study. Our theme for the night is The Helmet of Salvation
Please bring:
$5 - help offset cost of dinner
A Bible
A filled water bottle
Art Gallery News
The Gallery had five very enjoyable shows this past year. There was a good variety of art works hung The children of the school will hang their art work through the month of April. It is always fun to see how creative the little ones are –and how patient the teachers are with those ‘young artists!’
We are looking for new artists who would like to have a show in the gallery. If anyone is interested in having a show, please contact Art and Jo Kramer at lakeco2@gmailcom to learn more. Also, if anyone would like to serve on the Art Committee, they can contact us at the same email address. Thank you!
On April 12, 4th and 5th graders and their parents are invited to attend the Spiritual Milestone event “The Sacrament of Communion” Communion is an important sacrament, yet it can sometimes be difficult to understand Rev Steven Akins will lead this session to help families learn what Communion is and how it relates to our faith
Participants will begin at the 9:00 am worship service and then go downstairs to Room F after the Children’s Message Please note: This event takes place during the 9:00 am service only
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL - APRIL 26
On Sunday, April 26, there will be no children’s Sunday School as we gather together for Service Worship to serve our community. Family-friendly service projects will be available, and we encourage all families to participate Childcare will be available by request only for on-campus service projects Please reserve childcare at sapctucsonorg/kids
Have you ever asked yourself: Who am I? Why am I here? What’s my place in the world? How can I make a difference? What does God want me to do with my life?
The course Discovering God’s Vision for Your Life: You and Your Spiritual Gifts will address these questions and more Along the way, course participants will discover their gifts and consider how to use them
Examples of course content include: The Jesus Connection, Love: The Heart of Spiritual Gifts, Spiritual Gifts and Burnout, Bloom Where You are Planted
A registration fee of $16 covers the cost of lunch and materials If needed, childcare will be arranged To learn more about the course contact Jan Foran at (520) 300-1782 or email her at jgforan@comcast.net.
The classes will meet Sundays in The Garden Room: May 3 - 12:15 pm to 4:00 pm - Modules 1-4
May 10 - 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm - Modules 5-6
May 17 - 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm - Modules 7-8
StephenMinistry
Six months ago, several men and women began their journey of training to become a Stephen Minister. They have met weekly, read, studied, and prayed throughout the last 20 weeks. Trained by Cheryl Smith and Cindy McIntyre, they are now ready to begin their journey of providing care and sharing Christ’s love with you-our congregation! Please lift them up in prayer and congratulate them as you see them. They will be commissioned on April 19 at the 9:00 am and 10:45 am services
If you would like more information about Stephen Ministry or would like to see how a Stephen Minister can help, call the church office at 520-2977201 or Cheryl Smith, 520-271-6591
CurrentVolunteerNeeds
We would like to highlight some of the current volunteer positions in need of help. To learn more, visit sapctucson.org or email standrews@sapctucson.org.
OFFICE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The Church Office is looking for friendly people willing to serve as substitute reception volunteers to answer phones, greet guests, and assist with office tasks from time to time Contact Ed Coates at ecoates@sapctucsonorg if you are interested
3 Hour Shifts
9 am - 12 pm 12 pm - 3 pm
Scheduled as needed/available
Many summer shift opportunities
Training Provided
HEAVENLY HOST VOLUNTEERS AND BAKERS NEEDED
YOU have an opportunity to be part of a reorganized Heavenly Host Ministry. We need people to bake or buy cookies, muffins, or quick breads to serve on Sunday mornings Contact Adelle Korn at twocatzz2@gmailcom
3 Sunday morning shifts
Sign up monthly, weekly, as available
SUNDAY MORNING TEAMS
Provide baked goods
The Sunday morning teams are in need of volunteers. Could you welcome new or first time attenders? Help distribute information about current events and ministries of SAPC? Contact Amy Grover at agrover@sapctucsonorg to sign up!
2 Sunday morning shifts
Scheduled as available or needed
EASTER SUNDAY VOLUNTEERS
Training Provided
As we welcome additional attendees for our Easter Sunday services, many volunteers are needed to help the morning go smoothly. Check out the needs below and visit sapctucson.org to learn more!
Greeters Connect Host Kid’s Host
Ushers Set Up/Tear Down Patio Host Entry Host Photobooth Host
FinancialUpdate
Thank you for your support of our ministries Please contact Brad in the business office at (520)297-7201 if you have any questions
